UC members present: Bernard-Donals, Papp (chair), Tejedo-Herrero, Thibeault, Zweibel

Others: Greg Bump, Lesley Fisher, Jennifer Noyes, Julie Scharm, Jake Smith, Jen Young

Chair Papp called the meeting to order at 1:00 pm.

UC Chair Lauren Papp remembered Chancellor Emerita Rebecca Blank, who recently passed away as the meeting started.

Rob Cramer, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, indicated that they are looking at the safety of the houses for Mecha and ISC (vibration study) before construction gets underway for the Levy building. There will likely be another master plan before a parking lot/ramp would be funded for Dayton St.

He covered the budget request from Evers that contains a 5% raise recommendation for July 1 and another 3% the next year. The proposal contains 70% funding for those raises. The budget also includes money for the MIA recovery project and new positions in Extension. The capital budget will be released in the next week or so.

Lori Voss from purchasing indicated that they are holding meetings with schools and colleges to find out what is making the purchasing process so difficult for some. Chair Lauren Papp has received a couple complaints about having to provide numerous justifications for purchasing of research supplies.

The minutes for the meeting of February 13, 2023, were approved.

Michelle Felber and Jack O’Meara presented the annual report for PROFS and gave an update on Governor Evers’ budget proposal. The proposal contains paid family leave for both private and public sector. Republicans have already indicated they are not planning to pass it. There is no tuition freeze in the budget. They are planning to hold a budget forum in late April. The free speech forum is this week and will be streamed and taped by Wisconsin Eye.

Bill Karpus, Dean of the Graduate School, reported that they have been working on a family leave program and have sent a proposal to the Chancellor’s Office. He asked the UC their thoughts on having a policy for credit by department examination and whether they should continue to do 3 year check ins for new programs.

Secretary Heather Daniels gave the UC an update on where requests from the University Staff Congress were to make changes to FPP. She plans to send a response later this spring.

Karl Broman and Cynthia Waldeck presented a resolution on parental leave to be presented at the March Senate meeting. The University Committee supports bringing it forward to the Senate.

Jennifer Mnookin, Chancellor, shared information about plans for a memorial service for Chancellor Blank. There is already a professorship and Center for History named after her, and they are looking at other possibilities.

Katy Culver has agreed to chair the search committee for the Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications. The deadline for Provost applications has passed.

The Board of Regents meeting went well. The Chancellor announced the Pell Pathway, which seemed to be well received. Her remarks focused on core strengths and areas of opportunity including partnerships. The Regents asked thoughtful questions including what policies they have that are in the way of what UW-Madison needs to do.

Papp motioned, and it was seconded, to convene in closed session pursuant to Wis. Stats. 19.85(1)(c) and (f) to discuss a waiver and grievance at 3:01. One tenure clock extension was approved.

Papp motioned to reconvene in open session at 3:33. It was seconded and approved.

Papp adjourned the meeting at 3:34.